OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News June 30-July 6, 2022

My iconic OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of restaurant openings – virtual, brick-and-mortar, pop-ups, allll the things - and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #ifyouknowyouknow

🕘 15 min read

Heading into the long weekend and new month, I’ve got another banger for you: 30 new destinations (again), almost half that in closures (welp), and important news.

And stay tuned. More news ahead in The Tip Off, exclusively available in the TR Newsletter.

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Think pink interiors are old news? Think again. Alaïa Cafe & Doughnuts is awash in the pretty hue. Grand opening festivities for the new digs at Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) kick off Saturday.

Speaking of Square One, the Mississauga mall is proving to be a popular choice for new ventures lately. Including the latest Bar 6ix Sports + Wings located out front (201 City Centre Dr.). Doors open tomorrow. Grand opening specials include half price jumbo wings, $5 domestic pints (20 oz), and giveaways July 1-7. [UPDATE: July 1.22. The opening has been delayed due to “unforeseen circumstances.”]

Basil Box’s Southeast Asian-inspired fare and comfort food via sister concept Street Kitchen by Basil Box have arrived in South Etobicoke via virtual kitchen (3785 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) .

Whether you’re in search of something sweet (Yuzu Mango Cheesecake, Ovaltine Chocolate Cake) or cool down treats (ice cream, Osmanthus Cold Brew), Markham’s new Bon Cake at First Markham Place (Hwy 7 E, Unit 236) has you covered.

You’ve got until Saturday to spin the wheel for prizes at Chatime’s newest outpost in Scarborough: Kennedy Commons (18 William Kitchen Rd).

There’s something for everyone at Cheffrey’s Artisanal Bistro (388 Richmond St. W., Unit 5B) at Queen and Richmond, from vegan selections (Masti, Maple Roasted Root Vegetable Soup) to carnivore crowd-pleasers (Canadian Poutine with Bison Gravy, Chipotle Duck Tacos).

Community Restaurant’s second plant-based eatery touched down in Mississauga (89 Lakeshore Rd. E.) and includes weekend brunch. Think pancakes served with fresh berries, berry banana compote, toasted walnuts, butter, vanilla maple cashew crema, maple syrup, and home fries, In the mood for something savoury? The smoked “salmon” is just the thing - carrot lox, cashew tzatziki, capers, red onion, dill, organic arugula, buttered sourdough toast, blistered cherry tomato, sand seasoned home fries.

C+ Tea debuts at Scarborough’s Skycity Shopping Centre (3278 Midland Ave., Unit D122) on Saturday. The first Canadian branch of the café features “Thailand delights” of exotic tea, juice and snacks, including Summer Mojito, Butterfly Pea Soda, and Taro Coconut Smoothie. Bonus: Enjoy BOGO free drinks July 2-9, 1-4pm.

Thornhill just got a soju bar. Until July 9, Feel90 (5 Glen Cameron Rd.) is offering specials including the first Soju of the night per table is $9.99 and you’ll receive a 10 per cent discount if you pay in cash.

I told you about plant-powered Fresh Restaurants (320 Danforth Ave.) getting a home at The Big Carrot Community Market back in March. The first dine-in east side venue opens Monday.

Galito’s Flame Grilled Chicken boasts 150+ outposts in over 16 countries. Find the latest at University and Dundas (250 Dundas St. W., Unit 15).

Brazilian baked goods and confections get the spotlight at Girl From Ipanema Diner (2400 Dufferin St.). On the menu: fair pastel, pão de queijo, salted and sweet pies, quiche, gourmet frappes, candy and much more. Doors open Saturday at 8am.

Green Room (414 College St.) is back at it at College and Bathurst.

Find watering hole The Hideout on The Beach (2282 Queen St. E.) just north of Balmy Beach Park in the east end.

Hyde Social at King and Niagara (803 King St. W.), is open select nights (Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays) for dancing and poppin’ bottles.

Isabella’s Donuts, home of “Canada’s Original Mochi Donuts,” has a permanent home at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr., Taste Market, Lower Level). The new address goes into effect Saturday.

Its Tea made an appearance in last week’s edition. It turns out a shop in Scarborough (3290 Midland Ave., Unit 6) also launched in May.

Black Sesame Mousse Cake. Blueberry Almond Meringue Cake. Lavender Choco Cake. Chestnut Bomb Shortcake. Peach & Pear Almond Pie. Taro Choux Pastry. These are just a few of the dreamy confections available at Le Maxim's Cafe (11 Fairburn Dr., Unit 22) in Markham. p.s. TR Newsletter subscribers got word first.

Psst. Tucked under Silk Thai Restaurant (2907 Dundas St. W.) in The Junction lies a new destination for music lovers. Junction City Underground (2907 Dundas St. W.), formerly home of The Junction City Music Hall, has DJs for now, with live music on the way. The void of live music during the pandemic inspired high school mates Drago Nagoda of High Park Cannabis Co. and Alex SenGupta of The Lakeview Restaurant, The Abbott of Parkdale, Ding A Wing, and former partner at The Great Hall, to collab on the new venture.

I gave you the scoop on Kibo Sushi House’s latest concept last week. Get ready for this one: Kibo Omakase softly opened yesterday on the lower level of their Kibo Secret Garden Yorkville location (154 Cumberland St.)., with just two seatings a night and a cost of $180/person.

Midnight Market (434 College St.) at College and Bathurst boasts a snack menu that’s both reasonable ($5-$15) and enticing (Viet Pork Meat Pie $6, Sloppy Goe Bo Kho with spicy mushroom beef gravy $8; Da Lat Pizza with egg, chives, cheese, baby dried shrimp, fried onion, scallions $8; Lemongrass & Lime Chicken Wings $12).

Mild Afro Lounge (1116 Dundas St. W.) at Dundas and Ossington is doing it up for the grand opening tomorrow with DJs and bottle service. Doors open at 9pm.

Moss Park Espresso (185 Queen St. E.) made its debut March 1 with freshly baked pastries daily and in-house made artisan gelato. Find them under the oasis that is Plant Society.

Oro Café & Eatery (2377 Queen St. E.) in The Beach claims to be “Italy in a bite.” See for yourself with Roman-style pizza, pastries, artisan coffees and gelato.

Build-your-own-pasta venture Pastable (1927 Weston Rd.) debuted in Weston Village two weeks ago. The halal spot also does monthly specials. Pro tip: Get the Meatball Smash Burger while you can.

“Nashville inspired, Canadian grown,” Penny’s Hot Chicken is all abut halal “huge ‘n juicy” hot tenders and sandos. Originally from Waterloo, this marks the first outpost in the 6ix. Find them in a fast food food hall at Yonge and Gerrard (372 Yonge St.).

Shawarma isn’t the only thing on the menu at Shawarma Max (259 College St.) at College and Spadina. Dig into souvlaki, falafel, baklava and more.

Korean-style macaron makers The Social Blend debuts at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.) on Saturday. Shop macarons, dacquoises, and cake boxes at their new kiosk.

The grand opening of highly anticipated Torisho in The Beach (1940 Queen St. E.) is today, but if you’re a TR Newsletter subscriber, you’d know they softly launched earlier this week.

In the May 31 issue of the TR Newsletter, I shared intel about the exciting collab between TuckShop Kitchen and Breadhead. The wait is finally over: The Tuck Shop x Breadhead (1265 Dundas St. W., side entrance on Dovercourt) kicks off soft opening weekend tomorrow 10am-2pm. Note: The new biz is cashless.

CLOSED

Alimentari Italian Grocery (325 Roncesvalles Ave.) is being “forced to shut down” for a few weeks “due to building construction.” The temporary closure begins July 4.

If you’re following TR on Instagram (if you’re not, you should), you’d be on the first to know that chef and restaurateur Anthony Rose a nnounced the closure of his first two restaurants Rose and Sons and Big Crow on Tuesday.

Buna’s Kitchen (388 Richmond St. W., Unit 5B) served the Entertainment District and 401 Richmond crowds for years before the recent closure.

Chatime College Park (444 Yonge St.) launched seven years ago. Doors closed Tuesday.

It’s early retirement for the owners of Churrasco Portugril (1733 Eglinton Ave. E.).

Cinco Mexican (131 Roncesvalles Ave.) is already set to become another Mexican destination: Birria Cantina.

Glory of India (1407 Queen St. W.) in Parkdale may be closed, but a new location may be in the works.

TR Newsletter subscribers got dibs: After launching Fall 2020, Pizzeria Via Mercanti's run at Broadview and Danforth (124 Danforth Ave.) has ended. The colossal space, formerly home to Globe Bistro, isn’t the first closure for the local pizza chain: the expansive eatery in Gerrard India Bazaar shuttered Fall 2020. Elm Street and Midtown outposts, along with a food shop in Kensington Market, also came and went. Good news: The original in Kensington and more recent addition in Woodbridge remain.

Nice Nice Wine Bar (269 Dunn Ave.) in Parkdale has come to an end.

After 13 years, One Love Vegetarian (854 Bathurst St.) has permanently closed.

Punjabi By Nature Bar & Grill (aka PBN Grill) by Punjabi By Nature bounded into the city’s east end at the height of the pandemic: Riverside in July 2020 quickly followed by a Beaches outpost a month later. The Beaches spot shuttered a year later and the remaining Toronto outpost has also closed. According to the website, two locations are in operation in Brampton.

The striking glass-encased Vivo Pizza+Pasta (832 Bay St.) has closed, but nine locations across the province remain, with more in the works.

CHANGES

South Shore Bar & Grill (264 Brown's Line) in Etobicoke is under new management. The family-friendly joint just launched a new menu, has a patio and hosts live events.

Uncle Tetsu’s Japanese Cheesecake moved its flagship store (598 Bay St.) to flashier digs across the street at Atrium (595 Bay St.).

EVENTS

Check out the TR Fests + Events Calendar for all the days/nights dedicated to burgers, tacos, ribs, pizza, mac and cheese, brews, bbq + more. And stay tuned for the July edition.

NEW

Rama Pirakala, co-owner of Charminar Indian Cuisine in Burlington, was killed in a car crash on the QEW. A fundraiser for funeral costs and support for his family has been launched.

A fire at the Oakville Four Brothers Pizza (2828 Kingsway Dr., Unit 1) reportedly caused “around $18,000 worth of damage.”

Last week’s recalls were just the latest in a long string of items. Coconut Milk Unroasted Dark Chocolate 60% Cacao Bar has been added to the list. [UPDATE: July 2.22 - Select Enjoy Life bakery products are being recalled due to “possible presence of pieces of plastic.”]

Attention Industry: Mandatory Smart Serve® Recertification begins July 1.

ICYMI

Unless you’re a newsletter subscriber, you’d have missed this: Campechano's stalwart on Adelaide and t aqueria at College and Bathurst that debuted last summer are about to get a sibling. Campechano Cafe, a snug spot at Dundas and Bathurst, will specialize in your new favourite pastime - Mexican brunch.

Take a l ook inside Soluna, last week’s buzzy new arrival.

Please support local businesses whenever possible.

Life moves fast: I wrote about +100 new arrivals in May alone. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

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